ORGANIZATIONS

Spitzenberger The Reporter welcomes news from local organizations. There is no charge. Email to bill@rockdalereporter.com or fax to 512-446-5317.

Dedication Thursday for Monarch Garden

MILANO—The El Camino Real Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist invites the public to take part in the dedication ceremony of the Milano Junction Memorial Garden site at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, located at 300 W. Ave E in Milano (open lot next to the post office).

One section of this future garden site will be dedicated to “Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas,” a community project.

Following the dedication ceremony, volunteers will begin preparing the grounds with mushroom compost and everyone is encouraged to bring gloves, shovels and garden rakes.

“Our efforts are the first step for creating a Monarch Garden and Waystation,” said Martha Newman, spokesperson.

FIRST PLACE—Local artist and instructor, Denise (D.K.) Nichols, a participant in this year’s Barclay Visual Arts 2013 Competition in Temple, was awarded first place in the pastel painting category for her work “The Pink Veil Margeaux of Bethlehem.” She was awarded an honorable mention in the same category and also a third place in the category of oil/acrylic painting for her work “Nest.” For more information call 512-455- 6281 or e-mail milanojunctionmemorialgarden@yahoo.com.

Plant sale/exchange Saturday at Tejas Fest

Linwood Acres Garden Club will hold its annual plant exchange and sale during the Tejas Festival on Saturday, March 2 in the former Henry’s Garage building (northeast corner of Main and Bell downtown).

A special feature will be 500 free trees donated by Alcoa which will be given away during the day.

Little River Master Gardeners will display information about herbs including books, plants to feel and smell, and provide an herb tasting.

Also on display will be plants or seeds for yard use, and also yard art and decorated pots made by garden club members.

There will be an area for children to plant a seed to take with them and watch mature into a thriving plant.

The club’s fund-raising item is a cement garden bench. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.—Janice King, reporter

Matinee Musical Club meets in Starnes home

Matinee Musical Club met in the home of Denise Starnes with Lisa Loewe as co-hostess. A table of refreshments followed three February themes: Presidents’ Day, Valentine’s Day and Black History Month.

President Loewe opened the business meeting and welcomed new member, Pam Graham, with her club pin. Singing of the song of the month was accompanied by Dixie Whitmore.

Marie Gest presented a program on sacred music and the contributions of black music and musicians. Both religious and secular selections were performed. Vocalists were Lisa Loewe, Denise Starnes, Joyce Ford, Karen Cast, Pat Owen, Barkley Alford, Annette Griesbach, Leah Thomason, Judy Hudson, Dixie Whitmore, Mona Butala and Gloria Thrasher. Pianists were Cast, Loewe, Griesbach, Thrasher and Lee Thomason. Flutists were Thomason and Starnes. Drums were played by Loewe. Lee Thomason spoke on the evolution of blues music and led rhythm games.

The meeting closed with the NFMC benediction song, accompanied by Dixie Whitmore. Matinee is a member of the Texas and National Federation of Music Clubs.—Pat Owen, reporter

MILANO—Milano Lions Club will hold its annual pancake supper on Saturday, March 2 at the Milano Civic Center. Serving will run from 5-7:30 p.m.

Plate costs are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

Arts & Service League rummage sale Saturday

CAMERON—Cameron Arts & Service League will hold a rummage sale from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2 in Methodist Church fellowship hall on West Third Street. Proceeds will be used for local service and scholarships. FMI: Lynne Hornung, 254-697-4173.

Milano Project Graduation BBQ chicken meal Sunday

MILANO— Milano High School’s Project Graduation will host a barbecue chicken lunch on Sunday, March 3 at the Rockdale KC Hall.

Serving will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until sold out. Plates will include half a chicken, German noodles, green beans, bread and tea. Desserts will also be available for purchase.

Cost is $8 per plate and are available from any MHS senior, or can be purchased at the door.

Alcoa Retirees meeting at training center

First meeting of 2013 for the Alcoa Retirees Club will be held Thursday, March 14, at Alcoa Lake Training Center, according to Doug Williams, spokesman.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. and there will be an election of officers and a gift exchange, Williams said. The meal will follow a brief business meeting.

Texas Democratic Women held their 2013 convention in Austin Feb. 22-24 with a theme “Strong Women for a Democratic Texas.” Donna Beth McCormick was elected president. Currently, 30 counties have TDW chapters and McCormick plans to add new chapters and reactivate others.

FMI: Mary Ridgway, 512-773-1765.

Bailey Bank Building fund-raiser March 23

MILANO— Friends of the Bailey Bank Building will hold a fund-raiser at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Milano Civic Center. The “Come join the Parade” event will include food, fun and sing along. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Hope to have more information about this in later columns.

‘Hello Spring’ topic for Yours Truly Monday

“Hello Spring” is the March topic for Yours Truly, an event for and about women, to be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 4 in the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church.

“Plan to join us for fun, food and prizes,” said Dolores Sonntag, publicist. FMI: 446-6411.

Milam Retired Teachers to meet on Wednesday

MILANO—Milam County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Milano High School and will be served lunch at 11:30 a.m. by the MHS home economics class.

Don Allphin, TRTA District 6 president, will entertain with guitar and song, according to Bram Younts, MCRTA secretary. “Please RSVP to this event by calling Susan Larson at 512-455-9591 by March 1,” Younts said.

Information will be provided on an April field trip to Waco to tour the Texas Sport Hall of Fame, Dr. Pepper Museum and the Texas Ranger Museum.

Egg farms are topic for Crown Gardeners

Crown Garden Club met Feb. 21 for brunch at the home of Peggy Cooke with 12 members and two guests attending.

The program was presented by Bethany Wallis of Rockdale and June Kenison of Milano on raising chickens, ducks, geese, guineas and other farm animals. Ms. Wallis brought a variety of eggs and each member was presented with a dozen fresh eggs. The speakers gave a informative, entertaining program and there was a question-and-answer period in which all the members took part.

Club members voted to make a donation to the completion of the butterfly garden which is a part of the restoration of the Bailey Bank Building in downtown Milano.

Club member Martha Newman of Milano is working with Debbie Harris, master gardener and master naturalist, also of Milano, on the garden area of the building, specifically on the butterfly garden which will contain milkweed and other plants preferred by the Monarch butterfly in hopes of attracting them on their southern migration.

The garden is in the area where the walkways will be made of honor and memorial bricks which were sold as a fund-raiser for the building and grounds restoration. The club purchased an honor brick for Mrs. Newman earlier and will now purchase another with the Crown Garden Club name.

The club’s March meeting will be a field trip.—Peggy Cooke, reporter

BBQ chicken meal set April 21 by Project Grad

Rockdale Project Graduation will hold a BBQ chicken meal fund-raiser Sunday, April 21 at the Rockdale KC Hall, according to Debbie Brinkley, spokesperson. Serving will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., dine-in or carry-out.

Tickets are $8 per plate and are on sale now from any Rockdale Project Graduation Senior.

FMI: 512-446-5884.

Grief support meetings

CAMERON—Standards Hospice is holding Grief Support Group meetings from 5 to 6 p.m. each second and fourth Wednesdays. Greg Nichols is bereavement coordinator. Location is Standards Hospice, 602 N. Travis in Cameron. FMI: 254-284-0045, extension 2013.

Grief support for teens

A grief support group for teens ages 12-18 meets each first Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rockdale High School library. The group is for those who are coping with the loss of a family member or close friend.

Next Relay For Life team captains and committee meeting will be held at Ben Milam Elementary School, 1100 E. 21st St. in Cameron, on Thursday, March 7. Team captains meeting starts at 6 p.m. and committee meeting to follow. FMI: Tiffany Parker at t _parker _2010@hotmail.com or Kim Jeter at milamcountyrelay@gmail.com.

Paint the County Purple

Paint Milam County Purple will be Friday, April 19. “We ask that everyone dress in purple to support our fight against cancer,” said Kim Jeter, publicist. T-shirts are now on sale. FMI (or to place an order): email t _ parker _ 2010@hotmail.com or milamcountyrelay@gmail.com. Shirts are $15, sizes youth medium through adult XXXL.

Golf tourney March 16

CAMERON—Relay For Life of Milam County will host a golf tournament at Cameron Country Club on March 16 with an 8 a.m. tee time. There are limited spots available. Contact American Cancer Society representative for Milam County, Cheyenne Overby, at cheyenne.overby@cancer.org for information on signing up.